Foundational Connections

08/18/2026

This is wonderful!

On a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon, the Tribal Sons Native American group residing at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton held its annual powwow for nearly 200 attendees. Prayer, song, dance, and drums filled the air, as bells and cones jingled and beaded moccasins carved a path on the newly landscaped grounds.

Special thanks to those who participated and made this possible, including our volunteers and community sponsors, and our contractor Unkitawa who oversees all services for the state's incarcerated Native American population.

08/08/2026

Please help spread the word!

Thrive Center Spokane has rooms available for families displaced by the fires.

You do not need to be a refugee or an immigrant. You do not need a referral. You do not need to prove income. If the fires took your housing, or you can't get back home because of them, you're eligible.

Our current residents aren't going anywhere to make this happen. They're refugee and immigrant families who lost their own homes to war and disaster, and many of them have lived through some version of this week. There's room for both. That's what a 153-room building is for.

Rooms are $40/night for a single and $65/night for a suite that sleeps 3–7, the cost of keeping the building open. Thrive is a nonprofit, and this is not a fundraiser. If you can't pay, say so on the form. You still get a room, and our staff will help you find emergency assistance.

Private bath, laundry, wifi, and parking.

Fill out the form and our staff will call within 72 hours:
https://thriveint.org/emergency-housing

Please share this. The person who needs it may not be the person who follows us.

08/07/2026

While the fires continue to burn and the greater Spokane community struggles with their impact, we also continue to see inspiring stories of people who make the choice to show up and help.

I especially love that this story highlights employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals while recognizing the power of rehabilitation, second chances, and the opportunity to give back to the community.

08/06/2026

We’ve been working behind the scenes!

Our website just got a fresh update with a cleaner look, easier navigation, and more information about the services we provide. Whether you’re looking for mitigation services, private investigations, expert consulting, or training, we’d love for you to take a look.

www.foundationalconnections.com

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Foundational Connections. We appreciate every referral, every client, and every opportunity to make a difference.

If you know someone who could benefit from our services, we’d be grateful if you’d share our page!

Looking for professionals to help with social work, home study, mitigation, private investigations, or family advocacy? Get the help you need today.

08/02/2026

Very proud of Jeanette for speaking her truth. As one of the leaders of the social workers’ union, she does an excellent job articulating both sides of this issue with thoughtfulness and integrity. I had the privilege of attending the academy with her and serving alongside her for several years. It’s been wonderful to watch her continue advocating for others.

The chair of the Washington Federation of State Employees DCYF Policy Committee is speaking out about failures with the Keeping Families Together Act (KFTA), which she says are leading to unnecessary …

08/01/2026

Sometimes I have to stop and appreciate how surreal life is.

Many of these books have been sitting on my shelves for years. They’ve helped shape how I think about criminal justice, psychology, victimology, investigations, and behavioral science.

Now I get to help write and publish new OER-funded college textbooks for future criminal justice students.

Making quality educational resources available without the high cost of traditional textbooks is something I genuinely believe in, and I’m honored to be part of the project.

Here’s to helping the next generation of investigators, advocates, attorneys, psychologists, and criminal justice professionals.

07/29/2026

An amazing new resource for families in Spokane and Whitman Counties!

07/29/2026

Progress- next step is federal recognition!

The Washington State Senate has officially adopted Senate Resolution 8690, recognizing and honoring the Chinook Indian Nation for its enduring history, culture, and contributions to the Pacific Northwest.

Passed on March 9, 2026, the bipartisan resolution recognizes the Chinook people’s historic role in trade, diplomacy, and stewardship along the lower Columbia River and Pacific Coast. Tribal leaders, including Chairman Tony Johnson and Vice Chairman Sam Robinson, were present in Olympia as the Senate approved the resolution.

The resolution serves as a formal legislative recognition of the Chinook Indian Nation’s historical and cultural significance. However, it does not create legal state-recognized tribal status, as Washington does not have a formal process for state tribal recognition.

The Chinook Indian Nation continues to seek federal recognition, a separate process under U.S. law. Tribal leaders have said they hope the Senate’s action will help build support for future congressional legislation recognizing the Nation at the federal level.

The resolution highlights the Chinook Nation’s enduring presence and the continuing importance of preserving Indigenous history and culture throughout the Pacific Northwest.

How can legislative recognition help increase public understanding of Indigenous history while broader recognition efforts continue? 🪶


SOURCES
• Washington State Senate — Senate Resolution 8690.
• Chinook Indian Nation — Official statements following adoption of SR 8690.
• Washington State Legislature — Senate Journal and resolution record.

07/28/2026

Today’s food for thought:

07/28/2026

I’m grateful for this thoughtful five-star review of Lower the Bar and Hide the Sharpies: A Survival Guide for New Foster and Adoptive Families.

The reviewer described the book as both compassionate and practical, which is exactly what I hoped it would be. Foster and adoptive families deserve honest preparation, realistic expectations, useful tools, and support that recognizes both the joy and the difficulty of the journey.

This book was written for prospective foster and adoptive parents, current caregivers, and professionals who support children and families impacted by trauma.

Available now in paperback and Kindle.